QueryQuotient Logo
Updated for 2025

Elasticsearch vs OpenSearch: Complete Comparison

Expert analysis of features, performance, pricing, and licensing to help you make the right choice for your search infrastructure.

Quick Comparison

FeatureElasticsearchOpenSearch
LicenseElastic License / SSPLApache 2.0 (Fully Open Source)
Maintained ByElastic N.V.Amazon + Community
Latest Version8.x2.x
API CompatibilityElasticsearch APIsES 7.10.2 compatible
AWS Integration
Managed ServiceElastic CloudAWS OpenSearch Service
Vector Search
Machine Learning
Security Features
Commercial SupportElastic (Official)AWS + Partners

Licensing & Open Source

Elasticsearch

Since version 7.11, Elasticsearch uses the Elastic License 2.0 or SSPL (Server Side Public License). These are not true open-source licenses and restrict certain uses, particularly cloud service providers from offering Elasticsearch as a service without contributing back.

OpenSearch

OpenSearch is licensed under Apache 2.0, a permissive open-source license. This allows you to use, modify, and distribute OpenSearch freely, including offering it as a managed service. No vendor lock-in or licensing restrictions.

Winner: OpenSearch for true open-source freedom

Performance & Scalability

Both platforms deliver excellent performance for search and analytics workloads. Since OpenSearch forked from Elasticsearch 7.10.2, their core performance characteristics are similar.

  • Indexing speed: Comparable, both can handle millions of documents per second
  • Query latency: Similar performance, typically sub-100ms for most queries
  • Scalability: Both scale horizontally to hundreds of nodes
  • Resource usage: Similar memory and CPU requirements

Winner: Tie – Performance is comparable for most use cases

Features & Capabilities

Elasticsearch Advantages

  • Newer features (8.x innovations like Query DSL improvements)
  • ESQL (Elasticsearch Query Language) for simpler queries
  • Broader plugin ecosystem and community
  • Elastic Stack integration (Kibana, Logstash, Beats)

OpenSearch Advantages

  • Native AWS services integration (S3, IAM, CloudWatch)
  • Alerting and anomaly detection built-in
  • Index management and ISM policies
  • SQL support with multiple dialect options

AWS Integration

OpenSearch has a significant advantage if you're in the AWS ecosystem. AWS OpenSearch Service provides:

  • Fully managed service with automatic patching and maintenance
  • Native VPC, IAM, and security group integration
  • Built-in backup to S3
  • CloudWatch metrics and alarming
  • Typically 30-50% cheaper than self-hosted Elasticsearch on AWS

Winner: OpenSearch for AWS-first organizations

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Elasticsearch If:

  • You need the latest cutting-edge features
  • You're heavily invested in the Elastic Stack
  • You prefer official Elastic support
  • Licensing restrictions don't concern you
  • You're not on AWS or use Elastic Cloud

Choose OpenSearch If:

  • You run on AWS infrastructure
  • You want true open-source software
  • Cost optimization is a priority
  • You want to avoid vendor lock-in
  • You value community governance

Considering Migration?

Migrating between Elasticsearch and OpenSearch requires careful planning. We specialize in zero-downtime migrations and can help you:

  • Assess compatibility and migration complexity
  • Plan a zero-downtime migration strategy
  • Execute data reindexing and validation
  • Update client applications and dependencies
  • Optimize performance post-migration
Get Free Migration AssessmentLearn About Our Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Elasticsearch and OpenSearch?

OpenSearch is an open-source fork of Elasticsearch 7.10.2, created and maintained by Amazon and the community. The main differences are licensing (OpenSearch is fully Apache 2.0 vs Elastic License for recent Elasticsearch versions), AWS integration (OpenSearch has native AWS services integration), and governance (OpenSearch is community-driven while Elasticsearch is controlled by Elastic).

Is OpenSearch compatible with Elasticsearch?

OpenSearch maintains API compatibility with Elasticsearch 7.10.2, meaning applications built for ES 7.x generally work with OpenSearch with minimal changes. However, compatibility decreases with newer Elasticsearch 8.x features. OpenSearch has its own unique features and diverging development path.

Should I migrate from Elasticsearch to OpenSearch?

Consider migrating if you: want to avoid Elastic's licensing restrictions, need tight AWS integration, prefer truly open-source software, want to reduce costs with AWS OpenSearch Service, or need features specific to OpenSearch. Stay with Elasticsearch if you need cutting-edge features, have deep Elastic ecosystem integration, or prefer Elastic's commercial support.

Which is faster: Elasticsearch or OpenSearch?

Performance is comparable for most use cases, as OpenSearch is based on Elasticsearch 7.10.2. Benchmarks show similar query and indexing speeds. Performance differences typically come from configuration, cluster architecture, and specific feature usage rather than the platform itself. Both can handle enterprise-scale workloads efficiently.

Can I use Elasticsearch plugins with OpenSearch?

OpenSearch is not compatible with Elasticsearch plugins due to API differences and architectural changes. However, OpenSearch has its own plugin ecosystem, and many popular Elasticsearch plugins have OpenSearch equivalents. The OpenSearch community actively maintains alternatives for common functionality.

Still Not Sure Which to Choose?

Talk to our experts. We'll analyze your requirements and recommend the best solution for your needs.

Schedule Free Consultation